Silence.
The hall instantly fell into complete silence. Only the sound of heavy breathing could occasionally be heard. The alliance formed moments ago collapsed immediately.
Raiden Ei's gaze swept left and right — everyone suddenly looked suspicious.
Furina quietly pulled her chair back, subtly distancing herself from the others.
"…Sigh."
Jing Yuan rubbed his temples. What a headache. He hadn't expected there to actually be a killer among them.
Who knew what might happen if they formed an alliance with the wrong person?
"Mr. Su Ze, please explain the detailed rules first."
"Alright."
Suppressing a chuckle, Su Ze picked up a card and read:
"The rules for Lights Out, Please Close Your Eyes are as follows:
During the day, everyone may move freely, but no one may leave the castle. When night falls, you must choose a room and cannot leave it.
Each person draws an identity card and gains the corresponding ability. Others may not interfere.
If a murder occurs, a vote may be initiated during the day to eliminate a suspected person. You may also choose not to vote.
Each player starts with 10 points. Points can be used to purchase information from me. After victory, remaining points can be used to draw rewards.
A player may independently accuse someone of being the killer. If the accusation is correct, that player wins alone. For each surviving person, they gain +1 point. If the accusation is wrong, the accuser is eliminated."
"That's all the rules."
Su Ze placed several cards face-down on the table.
"Now, draw your identity cards."
After hearing the rules, no one hesitated. Each reached out and drew one.
"Now, reveal your identities."
Everyone flipped their cards.
Su Ze scanned them one by one — and when he saw Raiden Ei's role, his expression stiffened slightly.
"This is getting interesting…"
He looked at the others with mock sympathy.
Prepare yourselves to witness Chef Raiden Ei's culinary skills.
The roles were:
Jing Yuan: Doctor
Jade: Maid
Herta: Young Lady
Raiden Ei: Chef
Furina: Gardener
Xiao: Bodyguard
Seeing that some still didn't fully understand, Su Ze began explaining the abilities.
[Doctor]
If a murder occurs, the Doctor may examine the body first. The information obtained may be disclosed or kept secret.
Everyone looked at Jing Yuan.
That ability was excellent — exclusive access to information.
"Jing Yuan, you know what that means," Herta said.
Translation: don't monopolize the clues.
"Don't worry," Jing Yuan smiled. They needed to cooperate against the killer. He had no intention of hoarding information.
[Maid]
Responsible for cleaning rooms during the day.
Jade was momentarily stunned.
Why did Jing Yuan get priority autopsy rights while she had to clean rooms?
Then she reconsidered — and smiled.
If she was cleaning rooms… that meant she could enter other people's rooms.
That meant more information.
[Young Lady]
May assign any one task to another player each day. The target may not refuse.
Herta's eyes lit up.
This was a wildcard role.
She leaned back proudly.
"I'm the Young Lady. The true owner of this house. You're all my servants."
[Chef]
Responsible for preparing meals daily. May use all items in the kitchen.
"—Hiss—!"
Everyone turned toward Raiden Ei in horror.
Was she the killer?
After all… the kitchen had knives.
"…Can I not be the Chef?"
Raiden Ei looked awkwardly at Su Ze.
He shook his head.
"What you draw is final."
(As if I'd let you give that up. I still want to see how you torture everyone with your cooking.)
[Gardener]
May leave the castle at any time to go to the garden outside.
"Not bad!"
Furina brightened.
If she couldn't outplay the killer, she could just hide in the garden.
Surely the killer wouldn't chase her outside, right?
[Bodyguard]
At night, may freely enter and exit rooms, but must remain within the castle. After a murder occurs, may lead the group to investigate others' work areas (up to three times).
"Holy—"
"That's powerful!"
"Isn't that basically the killer role?"
Everyone stared at Xiao.
Being able to move freely at night was terrifying.
Xiao's lips twitched slightly under their suspicious gazes.
The game hadn't even started yet, and they'd already decided he was guilty?
Clap clap.
Su Ze drew their attention back.
"Alright. You understand your roles now?"
"You may now choose your rooms. On the second floor, from left to right: Rooms 1, 2, and 3. On the third floor: Rooms 4, 5, and 6. The bedroom on the left side of the first floor is mine — you may not choose it."
Since they could freely choose rooms, everyone immediately headed upstairs.
After all, once night fell, the killer would begin moving.
Choosing a reliable room mattered.
Livestream Chat
[Yanfei: So… who do you think the killer is?]
[Cyno: Based on roles alone, Chef and Bodyguard are most suspicious. One has access to knives. The other can move freely at night.]
[Shikanoin Heizou: Not necessarily… The Doctor reaches the crime scene first. If he committed the murder and destroyed evidence, that would be dangerous.]
[Fuxuan: True. But the Maid is suspicious too. What if she sets traps while cleaning rooms?]
[Himeko: Looking at it that way… anyone could be the killer.]
[Yae Miko: Relax. The killer won't need to act. Our Ei will eliminate them all soon enough.]
[Gepard: That powerful?!]
[Kujou Sara: Naturally… Her Excellency the Shogun will win.]
[Yae Miko: Uh… that's not what I meant.]
[Seele: Then what did you mean?]
[Yae Miko: Just watch. To eliminate people, you don't even need a killer.]
The moment Raiden Ei drew "Chef," Yae Miko had already begun mourning the others.
After all, no one else was allowed to substitute as cook.
After days in this game…
They might starve to death.
Or be poisoned.
Go ahead.
Choose your rooms.